The Vitacress Conservation Trust
We are a charitable organisation, focused on environmental initiatives associated with salad and watercress crop production.
We are committed to creating and building a Conservation Trust that really does make a difference, improving and protecting some of the special habitats we are privileged to work in and around and making them better understood by, and accessible to, the public – especially our local schools.
Our focus is on environmental initiatives associated with salad and watercress crop production. We do this through working in close partnerships and creating strong links
with like-minded organisations such as Wildlife Trusts and The University of Southampton.
Latest News
2022 Chalk Stream Headwaters Forum
Our first post-pandemic forum with research updates Vitacress Conservation Trust 2022 Chalk Stream Headwaters Forum - 25 November The annual Vitacress Conservation Trust (VCT) Chalk Stream Headwaters Forum took place...
Stoke Mill Water Meadows
Restoration work - 25 April 2022 as recorded by Martin Burton The owner of the Itchen Stoke Mill at Ovington has kept his water meadows operating for the last 50 years. Water is taken from the River Itchen and spread...
VCT Dissertation Award 2022
The 2022 Dissertation Award was given to Victor Hyde who obtained a 1st in his BSc (Hons) Environmental Science degree at Bournemouth University.Victor's dissertation was entitled “An analysis and review of the...
Discover More
Projects
From river monitoring to supporting wildlife populations, we hold many ongoing projects that involve local schools and communities.
Educational Activities
Find out about our school visits, debates and lectures, and download a copy of our resource pack, the Wonderful World of Watercress.
Forums
Our forums encourage discussion and new ideas for the management of the wellsprings of some of Europe’s most ecologically important rivers.
Research
The Vitacress Conservation Trust is proud to support research projects in line with our key objectives of preserving and conserving wildlife and habitats associated with watercress and other salad crops for the public benefit.
Educational Resources
From The Wonderful World of Watercress to Chalk Rivers and Their Wildlife, download our booklets and videos to help children learn about the importance of protecting wildlife and looking after our rivers.
Meet the team
Our team of trustees support The Vitacress Trust in its commitment to the sustainability and environmental issues surrounding watercress in the UK.
Together, they bring a wealth of experience to help provide education and activities for local schools and communities.